Universität Wien

041002 UK Scientific Writing (2010S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Saturday 06.03. 10:00 - 14:30 (Seminarraum 1 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Saturday 13.03. 10:00 - 14:30 (Seminarraum 1 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Saturday 20.03. 10:00 - 14:30 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Saturday 27.03. 10:00 - 14:30 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Saturday 05.06. 10:00 - 14:30 (Seminarraum 1 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This is a workshop in scientific writing designed for students in economics, computer science, statistics, and applied mathematics---or in general, any field that uses formal, mathematical methods. Besides a general discussion of attitudes and voice, clarity and style, or questions like How to make yourself write?, this course offers a specific discussion of the form and style requirements as they have become standard in the respective disciplines. In this context we will discuss, for example, how to write an abstract, structure an article, organize references, etc. Another special feature of this course is that it addresses the question How to write Mathematics?---that is, how to combine verbal and formal reasoning, choose notation, or typeset and reference mathematical formulae. Throughout the course, the emphasis is not on presenting ``truths'', but on highlighting choices and discussing the trade offs between different alternatives.

Assessment and permitted materials

Evaluation for this course is based on (i) your preparation of
reading and writing assignments, (ii) your participation in class,
and (iii) your reviews of the texts of others.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Ultimately the aim of this course is to give you ideas how you can organize your own process of writing (and reviewing) and how you can make use of standard resources on writing and editing like The Chicago Manual of Style or other style and writing guides, journal web sites, etc.

Examination topics

There will be practical exercises, we will read and analyze text in class, and there will be reading and writing assignments for home. I will meet with students individually or in small groups to discuss their texts, and you should be prepared to read and review the texts of others.

Reading list

Standard reference for this course:

The Chicago Manual of Style (15th edition, 2003, Chicago University Press).

Other works that I will use frequently:

- Steenrod, Norman E., Halmos, Paul R., Schiffer, M.M., and Jean A., Dieudoné. How to Write Mathematics. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society, 1973.

- Strunk, William Jr., and E.B. White. The Elements of Style, 4th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000.

- Williams, Joseph M. Style: Toward Clarity and Grace, With two chapters coauthored by Gregory G. Colomb. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.

- Zinsser, William. On Writing Well, 30th anniversary ed. New York: Harper Collins, 2006.


Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:29